67 Dead in Washington Air Collision as Investigators Probe Causes

A passenger plane and military helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport, prompting a search for answers and widespread recovery efforts.

The crash involved an American Airlines passenger jet and a Sikorsky H-60 Blackhawk helicopter, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft.
Investigators have retrieved the flight recorders and are analyzing them to determine the cause of the collision.
Preliminary reports indicate the military helicopter was flying above its authorized altitude, and a controller in the tower may have been overburdened with dual responsibilities.
President Trump criticized the helicopter crew and blamed prior administrations' diversity hiring policies in air traffic control for the tragedy, drawing mixed reactions.
The victims include several prominent figures in the figure skating community and international passengers, with recovery efforts hampered by freezing conditions on the Potomac River.